By Rita Colorito on March 16, 2012 in
Toyota issued two massive recalls this week, for air bag problems and inoperative brake lights in several Tacoma, and Camry and Venza models, respectively. Malfunctioning parking lamps caused Buick to recall 2012 Regal vehicles. And Infiniti recalled certain older M45s because of an inaccurate fuel gauge. Crash hazards also prompted Hydro-Gear to recall lawn tractors. Lenovo ThinkCentre desktop computers may overheat and cause a fire hazard. And Gerber pulls a batch of Good Start Infant Formula after reports of off-odor and gastrointestinal problems in infants.
Toyota recall
It wasn’t a good week for Toyota, with more than 680,000 vehicles recalled.
Nearly 500,000 2005-2009 Toyota Tacomas (pictured in the slide above) were recalled because steering vibration may damage the driver’s air bag module, deactivating the air bag, which may then fail to deploy during a crash. Not included in this recall, the 2011 Toyota Tacoma was ranked as our Best Compact Pickup Truck; for other best reviewed pickup trucks, read our report.
The brake lights might not work on some 185,000 2009 Camry and 2009-2011 Venza vehicles, prompting Toyota’s other recall this week. Read about the pros and cons of 2011 Toyota Camry (not in the recall) in our report on the best family cars. We also review the 2010 Venza (included in the recall) and a whole host of other station wagons.
For both Toyota recalls, Toyota will notify owners, with the safety recalls beginning in early April 2012. Dealers will replace problems parts, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at (800) 331-4331.
For other vehicles reporting crash hazards this week, go to the next slide.
Infiniti and Buick sports sedan recalled
Nissan recalled more than 8,000 2003-2004 Infiniti M45 sports sedans because a circuit board failure may cause an inaccurate fuel gauge reading, causing the vehicle to run out of gas and stall, without proper warning. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will modify the circuit board, free of charge, with the recall scheduled to begin in mid-April 2012. Owners may contact Nissan at (800) 647-7261.
Parking lamps that fail to illuminate caused General Motors to recall more than 3,600 2012 Buick Regal vehicles (pictured in the above slide). GM has already begun notifying owners. Dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. Owners may contact GM at (800) 521-7300. Find out why ConsumerSearch called the 2011 Buick Regal (not included in the recall) “upscale, but pokey.”
If you are looking for an alternative sports sedan, check out our latest sports sedan report.
Could your lawn tractor be a crash risk? If it’s on the next slide, it is.
Hydro-Gear recall
Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership recalled 2,700 Cub Cadet, MTD Gold and Troy-Bilt lawn tractors sold with Hydro-Gear model 618-0319 and 618-04270B hydrostatic transaxles. A drive gear in the transaxle can fail causing brake failure and posing a crash hazard. The recalled tractors were sold at lawn and garden retailers nationwide from January 2011 through January 2012.
For instructions on obtaining a repair from an authorized service provider, consumers should contact Hydo-Gear at (888) 848-6038, visit Hydro-Gear’s website.
ConsumerSearch has your alternative lawn needs covered with its report on the best lawn tractors.
Lenovo recall
Worries of fire hazard caused Lenovo to recall 50,500 ThinkCentre M70z and M90z desktop computers. A defect in the power supply’s internal component can cause the computers to overheat and pose a fire hazard to consumers. Lenovo has received one report of such a fire and one report of a smoke incident, though no injuries. The recalled computers were sold online at Lenovo’s websites, by telephone and direct sales through Lenovo authorized distributors nationwide from May 2010 through January 2012.
The recall notice did not include the recalled serial numbers. Consumers will need to check the serial number on their computer with Lenovo, at (855) 248-2194, or visit the firm’s website to determine if it is subject to this recall.
Read about potential replacement best reviewed desktop computers in our report.
Food recalls
Publix Supermarkets issued an allergy alert on Public Beef Stew Mix, because it may be mispacked with brown gravy and may contain undeclared milk, an allergen for some consumers. The product is otherwise safe to eat. The 1.45 ounce container has a UPC number of "41415-03608" and a date code on the package of "BEST BY DEC 09 13 H." The mislabeled beef stew mix was distributed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina. Customers may contact Publix Consumer Relations department at (800) 242-1227 or visit their website if they have additional questions.
Gerber Products Company issued a voluntary recall of batch of Gerber Good Start Gentle powered infant formula (pictured in the slide above). Gerber says the formula poses no health risk, but has received reports of an off-odor and of some gastrointestinal complaints in infants given the formula. The recalls involves the powered formula in 23.2-ounce plastic packages from batch GXP1684, with an expiration date of March 5, 2013. Consumers who have the product with the batch code and expiration date above should contact the Gerber Parents Resource Center at (800) 487-7763 for a replacement.
See Our Recommendations
